University of Virginia Library

Act. 5.

Scæna. 1.

Enten 2 Embassadours with letters, Caladine, Vasco, Altesto, Frivolo.
Cal.
Your Letters merit to have power on my
Respect and diligence; I shall afford
You both; but when I bring you to the Duke
'Tis to be fear'd you'l find the privilege
Of all my favor there is lost.

1 Emb.
Accesse and audience Sir is all our hopes
Presume to get, the times befriend us not.

2 Emb.
We had swift notice of these Ladies danger;
And Sir, how ere it prove, your wishes must
Oblige us to a lasting gratitude.

Altest.
What are these strangers Vasco, that envy
Our sleep, and wake us before day?

Vas.
Embassadors from Millaine, whose hopes want
Some cordiall water, for they'r very sick.

Cal.
Vasco, it is the Dukes command that you
Assemble straight some strength from the cast Regiments
To guard the Pallace yard.

Vas.
What need it Sir? to my knowledge the two Ladies have no
Other weapons than Bodkins, and their nailes
Closse par'd; besides, a thread of Eglantine,
Or a small woodbine stalke, will fetter them
As fast as Cables of a Galley-grosse.

Cal.
I but deliver what I had in charge.
My Lords Embassadors this is your way.

1 Emb.
These preparations are severe; I doubt
His mind will not be easily reclaim'd.

2 Emb.
You see the gen'rous people like it not.

Exeunt. Emb. and Cal.
Vas.
Altesto, go and muster up from all
The Lanes and Alleys in the Town a troop
Of fine fleet rogues, such as will turne their backs
To a bullet and outrun it, yet love
Commotion too, I would have such Altesto,

Fri.
Let me furnish you; hell shall not yeeld a Regiment
Of Fiends that will be more invisible
At the approach of Justice or Religion.

Altest.
O for a tiny short truss'd Baker that
I knew; A Carman too, that dy'd some three
Months since with eating meazled porke; they would
Have march'd to such a war with cowlestaffe and
Batoone like Hercules.

Enter Tristan (leading the Widow) and Lelia.
Vas.
How now? whither move you so fast, like a
Fleet snaile over a cabidge leaf, so early too?
She sleeps lesse than carriers, traytors, or Madmen.

Tri.
She requests me to be the staffe of her age.

Vas.
But whither I pray?

Wid.
Why sir, to see the shew.

Vas.
The shew! the motion of Queene Guinivers death
Acted by puppets would please you as well;
The Jade too is as full of remorse as
A Beare that wants his supper.

Wid.
I would have a safe place, where I may stand
And weep without having my handkerchiefe
Stolne away.

Lel.
It is of pure Cambrick forsooth,
And made of her Grandmothers wedding Apron.

Wid.
Yes truly, and wrought when I was a maid.

Altest.
That's an antiquity beyond all record.

Vas.
Sirra Tristan, be you sure you avoid
No throng; a croud well shuffled, and close pack'd,
May do now a speciall courtesie;
Let her be squeez'd, for she's as rotten as
A hollow tree that stands without a root.

Trist.
My shoulder shall help too at a dead lift.

Fri.
A Scaffold that were weakly built would serve.

Wid.
VVe must make haste; farewell Lambe.

Exeunt. Trist. Wid. Lel.
Vas.
Lambe, which my own translation renders calfe.

Altest.
'Twill be long ere thou grow up to a bull:
For few will venter to help thee to hornes.

Vas.
VVell Gentlemen pitty my case, I have
Endur'd another night would tire a Perdu,
More than a wet furrow and a great frost.

Fri.
VVill she not dye?

Vas.
I have perswaded her, but still in vaine;
And all the help the Laws afford us poore
Mistaken men, that marry gold instead
Of flesh, is a divorse, it must be thought
On suddenly; Altesto, haste to your charge.

Altest.
Good morrow Cavaliers.

Vas.
'Twill be an houre yet before that greeting
Be in season; pray heaven Tristan remember the crowd.

Exeunt.
Enter Alvaro, Prospero, Leonel, and Boy (to sing.)
Alva.
This glorious hazzard in thy sister (Leonel)
Doth equally perplex my sufferance
With what the faire Evandra must endure.

Leo.
You now have heard the chearefull Art she us'd
To be the first that should confirme her love
With prostitution of her virgin life.

Alva.
But why for me? how poore they make me now,
That have betray'd me to a debt the wealth
Of Saints (that are in kindnesse ever rich)
Is not of able value to discharge;
I love them both with equall flame, and I
Distinguish neithers beauty when compar'd;
'Tis vertue and remorce give Ladies eminence
In the severe discretion of my heart.

Pro.
I want the wisdome how to love; but I
Am sure I find I love, and 'tis too much.

Alva.
Song.

Enter Evandra, and Melora, above.
Evan.
Who is it that assumes the office of
The dying Swan? all Musick now (me thinks)
Is obsequy, and he that sings should sing his death.

Mel.
The gentle and most valiant Prince, bold Prospero.

Evan.
And there behold the faithfull Leonell.

Leon.
O pardon me that I have kept my vow.

Evan.
Brave youth! I prize thy truth great as thy love;
We now are mark'd here, and inclos'd for death,
So you have all a blessed liberty.

Alva.
A liberty? we are more bound than slaves unto
Th'unwieldy oare; like harness'd cattell in
A Teeme, we draw a load of sorrow after us
That tires our strength.

Evan.
There was no way but this
To keep you still among the living, who
Before endeavour'd nobly to procure
Our freedome with your deaths; do not repine
At destiny, all remedy is past.

Alva.
A fatall truth; for we but now dejected on our knees
Did wooe my Fathers mercy, and in vaine.

Mel.
Then strive not by untimely rage to help
And further our impossible release
With certaine hazzard of your selves; our last
Sute is, we may begin our willing death
As quietly as undisturbed sleep.

Evan.
The silly crime of envy which unlearn'd
And haughty Lovers use, I shall prevent;
You'l want the object now, that makes you interchange
The vext remembrance of each others claime.

Alva.
Were you to live we could not share that guilt;
Though number make us three, wise love hath given
Us all one peacefull heart.

Evan.
O Melora! were it but timely now
To wish continuance of mortality,
Like them, we should not differ though the same
One virtue were our mutuall hope and choice;
But you should chide her sir, for she hath lov'd
Your happinesse too much, vainely to lose
Her life when mine would satisfie.

Alva.
Why Melora didst thou undo my soule
VVith so strange courtesie? but why did you
Evandra? stay, o stay, leave us not yet.

Evan.
The Guard are entred here, and now the last
And shortest of our houres is come; farewell
Brave Prince; brave Leonell farewell; farewell brave Prospero.

Mel.
The gentle valiant Prince
Farewell; and valiant Leonell farewell;
Farewell the hardy Prospero.

Ex. from above. Leon. and Pro. draw their swords.
Alva.
Nay, stir not Gentlemen, it is in vaine,
They are beyond all humane help; would you
Scale heaven, and coole the sawcy Sun with your
Fraile breath when he doth scorch you with his beames?
For such is now the enterprise that strives
To rescue them from this high Fort.

Leon.
Would I were in a Cannon charg'd, then straight
Shot out to batter it, and be no more.

Pro.
Would all the stones might be ordain'd my food
Till I could eat their passage out.

Alva.
These angry exaltations shew but poore.

Pro.
Sir, whither shall we go?

Alva.
To see them dye; but not like vaine and colerick boyes, to shew
A fury that can hazzard none but our
Disdained swords; yet still my worthy friends
There is an undertaking left, and such
As valiant lovers may performe; why should
The base and durty Guard be honour'd with
Our opposition or our bloud? have we
Not griefe enough to dye without their help?
Let us with fix'd and watry eyes behold
These Ladies suffer, but with silence still,
Calmely like pinion'd doves, and when we see
The fatall stroak is given, swell up our sad
And injur'd hearts untill they break.

Leon.
I do not find my self unapt for this.

Pro.
My breast containes an angry lump that is
Too stubborne for a quiet bravery;
He that shall strike Evandras life shall feele
Me till he sink low as the hollownesse where Devills dwell.

Alva.
This way; let us avoid the gazing multitude.

Exeunt.
Enter Duke, Caladine, Vasco, 2 Embassadors, and Attendants.
Du.
Have you unto your Officers given charge
To guard the passage from the Fort unto
The Pallace yard with bold well-govern'd men?

Vas.
All is directed Sir as you command;
But for their government, if it be to be had
In prisons, galleys, or stews, you may
Trust them with a mutiny.

Cal.
His resolution's fi'xd, and there remaines
No comfortable signe to flatter hope.

Du.
My Lords Embassadors sit down; and though
You now behold a Prince that rather loves
To be thought cruell than to break his vow,
Do not beleeve to be severely just
Is tyranny; you shall have faire admittance,
Yet your request unkindly ought to be
Deny'd; and though your Master (when the chance
Of war rendred my brother in his power)
Stole in the dark his noble life, and durst
Not give the wrathfull act a gen'rall view;
I'm not asham'd to publish my revenge,
It shall be openly perform'd, to shew
I not suspect mens censure or dislike.

1 Emb.
Sir, he that ministers revenge may hurt
And damage others, but can bring no good
Or reall profit to himselfe.

2 Emb.
And with your Highnesse leave, we think it were
More wise to mulct our Masters treasure, which
Shall be exhausted freely to your own
Proportion and content, so you will take
His Daughter and her lov'd companion from
The danger of this day.

Enter Evandra, Melora, Guard, at one doore: Alvaro, Prospero, Leonell, at the other.
Du.
I will not sell my brothers bloud;
The prisoners approach; make roome; ere long
They shall enjoy the liberty of soules;
Vasco, lend me thine eare.

(whispers.
Alva.
How beautifull is sorrow when it dwells
Within these Ladies eyes? so comely, that it makes
Felicity in others seeme deform'd.
I wish my patience may be strong enough.

Leon.
I now begin to doubt I am not fit
To see their hazard and indur't.

Pro.
Nor I; my loyalty already's stird
Beyond the temp'rate suff'rance of a man.

Du.
Thou seest the Prince weares tremble in his locks;
Though any opposition he can make
Be but impertinent and weak, yet charge
Thy Officers, if he endeavor to
Disturbe my will, imprison him i'th Fort.

Vas.
I shall observe him Sir; I do not like
This employment; the Prince will find no Enemies in all my tribe.

Du.
If you have any words from Millaine that
Imports their knowledge, ere they dye, be briefe
My Lords Embassadors; I give you leave
To whisper your affaire, or if you please,
To make it publique to the world.

1 Emb.
Your cruell resolutions sir, have so
Confin'd our liberality, that all
We shall deliver to Evandra now
Is but her Fathers and her Countries teares,
And those we can by deputation pay
To the indang'ring of our eyes.

2 Emb.
And to Melora, that in kindnesse thus
Hath shar'd her destiny, we do confer
The worlds eternall wonder and applause.

Evan.
It will deprive me of some joy in death, to think
My Father needs must suffer by a vaine
Unprofitable griefe, and 'tis the last
Request I make, that he would wisely now
Forget my obsequies and name.

Mel.
And my desires make sure, that those who shall
Hereafter write the businesse of this day
May not beleeve I suffer for the hope
Of glorious Fame, but for a secret in my hidden love.

1 Emb.
Question your justice Sir, must they both dye?

Du.
Both; and I think my payment is but short,
When I consider well the measure of
My brothers worth, with their unvalu'd Sex,
And wish some man that boasts your masters bloud
Were fingly here to undergoe their fate,
It would more pleasure my revenge, but since
There is no hope in that desire, away, lead them to death.

Leon.
Stay Sir, reprieve them but one minutes space
Untill you heare a stranger speake.

Alva.
What meanes this noble youth?

Du.
Be sudden in thy speech, for my revenge brooks no delay.

Leon.
If I produce a man ally'd unto this Family you so abhor,
Great as your selfe in title and descent,
Will you with solemne vow confirme their liberty,
And take his life to satisfie your wrath?

Du.
By th'honour of a Princes faith I wil;
And such a miracle would ravish me.

Leon.
I dare beleeve your vow, you were so just
Though cruell in your last, and know my joyes
Must take the privilege to boast you now
Have lost the power to make them dye.

Duk.
It shall be wonderfull if that prove true.

Leo.
I am not Leonell the Millaine Knight,
But Leonell the Duke of Parmas Son,
Heire to his fortune and his fame.

Evan.
O Melora! thy brother will reveale
Himselfe and quite undoe our glorious strife.

Leo.
By this you find I am to Millaine neer
Ally'd; but more to tempt your fury on
My life, know 'twas my valiant Father took
Your brother prisoner, and presented him
Where he receiv'd his death; my Father that
So oft hath humbled you in war, and made
His victories triumph almost upon
The ruines of your State.

Alva.
So young, and fill'd with thoughts so excellent,
That they surprise my wonder more than love!
Well mayest thou worship, Prospero, but darst not envy him.

Pro.
B'ing your Disciple Sir,
I'm better taught; but 'tis no crime to wish
Fortune had made me Heire of Parma and
Not him, then I had dy'd for them.

Vas.
This is some comfort yet; I'm for the Ladies.

Cal.
But 'thath not given our sorrows a full cure.

Du.
Sir you are boldest with your selfe; but you
Shall see I need no provocation to
Observe my vow; unbind the Ladies there,
And beare him straight to death.

1 Emb.
Stay Sir, he must not dye.

Du.
How? age and griefe makes thee a foole, and mad.

1 Em.
He must not Sir, if your revenge be wise,
And fix your anger where 'tis most deserv'd;
(Takes off a false beard.
Behold Millaine himselfe your Enemy;
Live princely youth, and let my yeares (which time
Would soone determine) be the ransome of
My chiefest bloud; Evandra do not weep.

Evan.
O Sir, there was lesse use of me; why would
You with this danger on your selfe destroy
That noble fame I vertuously pursu'd?

Mel.
Our hope of endlesse glory now is lost.

Alva.
Sure heaven intends more blessings to this day.

Du.
I have atchiev'd my wishes in full height;
This was a justice sir, more than I could
Expect from my own Stars; free Leonell
And let him suffer the prepared stroake.

2 Emb.
First heare me speak, and sir how ever you'l
Interpret the discretion of my words
I am resolv'd he shall not dye, nor none
Of these, though all in your command and power.

Vas.
Say'st thou so old Shaver? make but that good,
The maids of Savoy shall everlastingly
Pay thee tribute in dainty gloves and Nose-gays
To stick in thy girdle.

Du.
This were a mystery would please indeed.

2 Emb.
Look on me well: I am your brother Sir;
(Pulls off a false beard.)
And though ten yeares I have been hidden from
Your sight, this noble Duke hath us'd me so,
I cannot call it banishment, but the
Retir'd and quiet happinesse of life.

Alva.
How wisely have the heavens contriv'd this joy!

1 Emb.
And though his fortune in the war, which made
Your Armies ever flourish with successe,
Taught me prevent my Countries ruine by
Detaining him from your employment there,
Yet he enjoy'd all the delights that solitude
Affords: and when he chose his happinesse
In Books and deep Discourses of the learn'd,
I search'd the most remote and knowing world
For men to furnish his desires.

2 Emb.
It is acknowledg'd sir, and with a bounteous thanks.

Duk.
How welcome are these miracles? let me
Embrace thee as the greatest joy that since
My birth I have receiv'd. O my lov'd brother,
Thou see'st though absent I've been faithfull to
Thy vertues, and thy memorie.

2. Emb.
But sir, too strict a master of your vow;
Yet tis a fault my gratitude should more
Admire with thankfulnesse, than chide.

Duk.
This happy day deserves a place supreme
And eminent i'th Kallander.

2. Emb.
First I will give into your courteous armes
The Duke of Millaine sir, good & renoun'd;
And now the bold and princely Leonell,
Then Alvaro my honourd nephew that
Deserves the best of humane praise and love.

The Duke embraces them.
Alva.
Dread sir, that every one may share the joy
And blessings of this precious houre, let me
Restore poore Prospero into your breast.

Duk.
He shall bee cherish'd and his faults forgiven.

Pros.
I shall deserve it sir in future deeds
Of honour, and of loyall faith; how I
Am rap'd to see those wonders strangely thrive?

Vas.
What thinke you of the starrs now Caladine?
Doe these small twinkling Gentlewomen
Looke to their business well? have they a care of us?

Cal.
It is beyond our merit or our hope.

Vas.
Ile buy me an optick, study Astrologie,
And visit e'm ev'ry faire night ore my house leds.

Duk.
The chiefest happiness of virtue is
Th'increase, which to procure, with Hymens help
Wee'l knit, and intermingle lovers hearts.
Come my Alvaro, Ile bestow thee straight.

Melo.
A little patience sir, and heare me speake
Before you give what lawfully is mine.

Duk.
Indeed thou dost deserve him by thy love.

Mel.
In love Evandras interest justly
Doth equall mine, but I appeale unto
His vow, which sure her goodnesse will assist.

Alva.
And my religion shall perswade me keepe;
But where (Melora) was it made?

Melo.
Within my fathers court, when five yeares since
(Disguis'd you stole to see a triumph there)
You promis'd if our houses enmity
VVere ever reconcil'd, the church should joyne our hands.

Leon.
Sir, VVhat my sister speakes I'm witnesse to,
And hope this day shall end our parents strife
In a kinde peace.

Duk.
VVhich thus I doe confirme;
Take him Melora, with him all the joyes
Thy virtues or our prayers can procure.

Alva.
Didst thou for this with kind Evandra strive
VVho should encounter danger first? although
Thy beauty's chang'd, it is not lost; I now
Remember thee, and my vowes prophecie.

Embrace.
1. Emb.
Now my best Evandra give me thy hand;
And heare receive it valiant Leonell;
That I may ratifie the faith I gave,
If ere this war expir'd she should be thine.

Duke.
Then hee may challenge present interest,
For we may meet to heare voyces and lutes,
But never more the angry Drum.

Evan.
Alvaro's virtues sir, and yours, have both
An equall claim; persons I nere admir'd
So much to make a difference in my choyce;
Therefore my fathers promise, and my love
Have made me yours.

Leon.
I am orecharg'd with my felicitie.

Alv.
To Evandra, gladness be stil renew'd,
VVho since I see so worthily bestow'd,
My love is quieted in everlasting rest.

Evan.
And mine by your exact, and perfect choyce.

Pros.
These glad atchievements are so well deserv'd,
I not maligne your Ioyes; Ile to the warr
And fight to win you a perpetuall peace.

(Vasco takes Millaine aside.
Vas.
I'm bold to crave acquaintance with your grace,
And to begin it with a sute.

1 Emb.
It shall be granted Sir.

Vas.
I have married your Graces Country-woman,
And was a little (sir) mistaken in her age,
Would you'ld procure us a divorce.

1 Emb.
If you can make't appeare she is too old.

Vas.
She writes a hundred and ten (Sir) next grasse.

1 Emb.
'Tis a faire age; well Sir, you shal have a divorce,
And what the profits of her dowry would
Have been, I will my selfe bestow on you.

Vas.
Such another good day makes us all mad.

Du.
Come, to the Temple, and let's joyne those hearts
That with such pious courage have endur'd
The tryall of a noble constant faith,
Whom tortures nor the frowns of death could move.
This happy day wee'l consecrate to love.

Exeunt.